Learning Outcomes - ABA Standard 302

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

College of Law

CURRICULUM LEARNING OUTCOMES

PURSUANT TO ABA STANDARD 302

A.  Knowledge and Understanding Outcomes

Graduates of the College of Law should have knowledge and understanding of the following:

1. The doctrines and rules comprising public law, private law, and procedural law (such as contracts, torts, property, criminal law, constitutional law, business law, commercial law, criminal and civil procedure, and evidence).

1. The doctrines and rules of one or more specialty or focus areas of law (such areas of law could include remedies, tax law, administrative law, employment law, international law, equine law, election law, education law, health law, employee benefits law, immigration law, bankruptcy law, family law, energy and natural resources law).
   
    
2. The structure of the law; the public, private, and procedural elements of the law; and the theoretical and philosophical foundations of the law. 

B. Skills and Values Outcomes

Graduates of the College of Law should be able to:

1. Demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills, including in the following ways:
   
   
   
   a. Analyze a novel set of facts and determine what legal issues are presented as well as which facts are and are not material to the resolution of those issues. 
   
   
   
   b. Engage in legal analysis and reasoning, including by applying governing legal principles to factual situations.
   
   
   
   c. Read, understand, interpret, and explain complex legal and law-related documents. 
   
   
   
   d. Analyze an argument, identify its flaws, and prepare an effective response.
   
    
2. Research the law, which includes conducting thorough, efficient research and analyzing primary and secondary legal authorities to answer legal questions.

1. Draft the documents commonly used in litigation and/or alternative dispute resolution processes (such as motions, memoranda of law, pleadings, arbitration and mediation statements), in legal transactions (such as contracts, wills, trusts, opinion letters), or in administrative agency proceedings (such as review petition, rule comment).  

1. Communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written form by:
   
   
   
   a. Presenting material in a clear, concise, well-organized and professional manner that is appropriate to the audience and the circumstances; and 
   
   
   
   b. Selecting and using the appropriate legal terminology to accomplish a desired legal effect (e.g., in contracts, wills, motions, jury instructions, discovery documents).
   
    
2. Apply professional judgment and knowledge of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the Kentucky Supreme Court’s Rules of Professional Conduct to the representation of clients, the performance of duties as an officer of the courts, and the resolution of ethical issues.

Approved by the UK College of Law faculty on September 28, 2017